Established in 1983 in Gamsen (Brig-Glis), Valsynthèse is a Valais-based company specializing in fine chemical synthesis and high-risk chemical processes. As a subsidiary of Société Suisse des Explosifs (SSE), the company operates at the interface of complex chemistry, industrial safety, and custom manufacturing for demanding applications.
Valsynthèse develops and produces tailor-made chemical compounds for clients in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and technology sectors, with activities spanning process development, scale-up, and industrial production.
From energetic materials to pharmaceutical synthesis
The company’s origins are closely linked to nitroglycerin, historically produced for large-scale infrastructure projects such as the construction of the Simplon Tunnel. Over time, this expertise in energetic and unstable compounds was transferred to pharmaceutical applications, notably cardiovascular treatments. This transition required the adaptation of process control, safety engineering, and regulatory compliance to the standards of fine chemistry and pharmaceutical manufacturing. It remains a defining element of Valsynthèse’s positioning: the ability to manage complex reaction conditions and hazardous intermediates while ensuring industrial robustness and reproducibility.
Industrial capacity and custom manufacturing
Valsynthèse operates 27 industrial reactors and produces approximately 1,000 tonnes of chemical substances per year. Its production serves around 50 customers worldwide, primarily through long-term contracts involving custom synthesis and confidential manufacturing processes.
A long-standing example is the production of betaine citrate, an active substance used in digestive disorder treatments. Since 1983, close to four billion doses have been manufactured at the Gamsen site in collaboration with the French pharmaceutical laboratory UPSA. This sustained production illustrates the company’s ability to maintain consistent quality and supply over several decades.
Contribution to sustainability-oriented innovation
Beyond pharmaceuticals, Valsynthèse is involved in industrial projects addressing environmental challenges. In partnership with DSM-Firmenich, the company contributes to the production of Bovaer, a feed additive designed to reduce methane emissions from cattle. Since its market introduction, the use of this additive has contributed to avoiding an estimated 66,000 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions.
This activity reflects the extension of high-risk chemistry expertise toward applications with measurable environmental impact, under industrial-scale conditions.
Investment, skills, and operational continuity
Since 2019, Valsynthèse has invested more than CHF 15 million, primarily in production equipment and human resources. The company employs around 75 staff and places emphasis on internal skills development, operational flexibility, and long-term workforce stability.
Operating in a field where safety, process reliability, and regulatory compliance are critical, Valsynthèse relies on rigorous risk management frameworks and strong employee involvement in industrial projects.
A long-term industrial actor in the Valais life sciences landscape
Over four decades, Valsynthèse has transformed expertise inherited from explosive chemistry into a specialized and recognized capability in fine chemical manufacturing. By combining high-risk process control, custom synthesis, and long-term industrial partnerships, the company continues to operate as a discreet but essential contributor to pharmaceutical and chemical value chains, while remaining firmly anchored in Valais.
